Speed races of 280 motorcycles on the protected beach and sand dunes of the southern Kyparissia Gulf, in the areas of Giannitsochori Ileias and Elaia Messinias
The residents and visitors in the areas of Giannitsochori Ileias and Elaia Messinias, as well as the ARCHELON volunteers were unpleasantly surprised in the early hours of Tuesday, May 22nd 2018. Two-hundred and eighty motorized vehicles (motorcycles and four-wheeled motorcycles) traversed the beach for 5 hours, destroying the vegetation and dunes. The organizers were present at certain points of the route, indicating the exact route to the contestants, directly on the protected beach and the dunes.
It is widely known that the coastal region of the Southern Kyparissia Gulf is an invaluable coastal ecosystem with sand dunes and is home to more than 1000 Caretta caretta nests each year. This site belongs to the NATURA 2000 network and the terms of its protection are included in specific and general provisions of the legislation.
The race was organized by Hellas Rally, and the company specifically advertised on their website that this year’s organization includes the beach and dunes for the first time. Despite the protection measures in place, in accordance to current legislation, the organizers have claimed that they had received the relevant approval by the local district, the local forestry authority and Ileias’ police department.
This event poses a direct threat to the nearby Caretta caretta nests, to the protected dune ecosystems, as well as a risk and disturbance to the visitors of the beach. Local police authorities refused to assist in the protection of the area, even though they were immediately informed by both residents of the area and members of ARCHELON.
According to current information, the race will be repeated within the next few days – most likely on Friday, May 25th, following the same route. ARCHELON is requesting for the immediate exclusion of the protected beach and dunes from the route, in order to ensure the protection of nature, under the legislation on the protection of seas and the granting of simple, coastal land use, article 13 of the Biodiversity Act and the measures of the Ministerial Decision in force since May 2016 for the protection of the Kyparissia Gulf.
More Information:
Sevasti Kapota, West Peloponnese Program Coordinator, tel: 6932 285 817 Panagiota Theodorou, Environmental Conservation Officer, Athens, tel: 210 5231 342
The Association for the Protection of the Sea Turlet ARCHELON is a non-profit organization established in 1983, to protect the sea turtle and its habitats. More information on its action can be found on www.archelon.gr
Rethymnoʼs most ancient visitors have appeared for yet another year
Vast number of illegal interventions lead to degradation of natural environment in the Marine National Park of Zakynthos - negligence from the authorities
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
Sekania, a secluded 600-meter-long beach in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation, with more than 24,000 sea turtle nests recorded over the last 40 years.
- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
On June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1972. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and ARCHELON is calling for action on the sea turtle nesting beaches.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.
- OUR NEWS29/05/2025
Amvrakikos Project 2025: Special Call for a Field Leader
ARCHELON is looking for a highly motivated person to lead its project in Amvrakikos Gulf, one of the few foraging sites for loggerhead turtles in Greece linking several populations nesting across the Mediterranean region.
- OUR NEWS22/05/2025
Sea turtle nesting has begun in Greece: learn what to look out for!
The first nests for 2025 have already been located and protected at Laganas beach in Zakynthos, Elaia beach in Kyparissia Bay and Pachia Ammos beach in Messara Bay in Crete!
- OUR NEWS16/05/2025
Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
Sea turtle facial scales remain stable throughout a turtle’s life allowing researchers to recognise individuals from photos, often taken over decades!
- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
Αs the popularity of the protected area increases and pressures from tourism and climate change intensify, the question that arises is: How many people can this beach “bear” without degrading the environment?
- OUR NEWS07/05/2025
Discover the secret nature of Crete: Sea Turtle Beach Walk with ARCHELON
Live a unique ecotourism experience in Crete by participating in ARCHELON Sea Turtle Beach Walks on the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead, starting on May 15th in Chania and Rethymno. Now open for reservations on our website!
- OUR NEWS24/04/2025
Are You Over 50? The Sea Turtles Need You!
If you’re 50 or older and ready to dive into a unique conservation experience, we warmly invite you to join us. Help protect sea turtles, meet like-minded people, and discover the natural beauty of Greece with ARCHELON by your side.
- OUR NEWS22/04/2025
Turning the Tide: Sea Turtle Populations Show Signs of Recovery Worldwide
The first, after a decade, global study brings encouraging news for sea turtle conservation: more than half of their populations across the globe show signs of recovery. Listed among the authors is the Research Coordinator of ARCHELON, Aliki Panagopoulou PhD, who is mobilizing the long term field work of our Society on the nesting beaches of Greece.
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!